Advertisement
scotland11
when in scotland, kiss a scot. (You can click on the pics to enlarge. Don't you wish everything worked that way?)
Scotland was fabulous. I loved it. You know, my people are from Scotland. Not just the Campbell slave-masters but my maternal grandfather was actually half Scottish. I got Scottish on BOTH sides, so it was only natural that I should visit.
I found out later that the Campbells are responsible for some crazy massacre in the Highlands or something like that, and if I ever visit the Highlands, I should for the love of God, never ever ever disclose that my last name is Campbell or risk dirty looks and phlegm in my food. I didn't find that out until I returned to the US. Lucky for me, I didn't visit the Highlands.
The flight to and from Edinburgh was so very pleasant. The passengers were all so very nice and I got along well with the crew. The crew member I got along with best was a 25 year old hottie named GRADY who turned out to be my new best friend in the world. Grady brought along HIS best friend Rauol on the flight and the three of us had the
scotland1
i think i was supposed to pay him for this picture. best time discovering Edinburgh.
So the famous delicacy for which Scotland is known is called HAGGIS. There are chalkwritten signs outside of the pubs advertising, "The BEST haggis and ale served here." While on the shuttle to the hotel, i dared to ask, "So what is haggis?" I was met with silence and furtive glances between those that
know. I asked again, "Hellooooooo. What is haggis?"
Finally, one of the pilots told me, "Uh, haggis is like uh everything on the cow all chopped up and mixed up together. It's the big thing out here." All righty then. Well, you know I don't believe in traveling to another country just to eat something I can eat at home. If I'm going to Scotland, I want to eat something I can only eat in Scotland. Or at least I'll
try something once. Within reason. If it's dead. And cooked. Haggis qualified. Plus, I hadn't had the opportunity to google it yet.
My new buddies Grady, Rauol and I set out to experience Scotland. And the Lord must have known we were on a flight attendant budget because he blessed us with free haggis samples. And Grady said HELL
NO, my parents made me try that when I was a kid, I am so cool on the haggis. But Rauol and I were gangsters about it and do you know that haggis is actually quite tasty? Rauol enjoyed it so much that he swiped THREE free samples and later on, he ordered deep fried haggis BALLS. Yeah. Not me. The sample was enough for me. It's tasty but just like head cheese, who wants to sit there and eat the whole loaf? I just wanted to be able to say I'd tried it.
By the way, I googled it just now, like a big dummy.
Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish. There are many recipes, most of which have in common the following ingredients: sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours. Hmmm. Yeah. Didn't need to know that. Enough about haggis.
We visited Edinburgh castle, saw the Crown Jewels (but couldn't take pictures of them), walked up and down HELLLLLLLLLLLLA stairs, straddled a cannon, cuddled a Scot. I think Edinburgh was built on stairs. But
scotland3
rauol and i dare to live as scots my favorite was this diva that we stopped to ask about where to find the best pub. His name, I think, was Colin, and he was wearing a black velvet scarf with a brooch under a white collared shirt. When I commented on it, he responded, "I dare say I was going for the whole Snow White wicked stepmother look." He asked what we were doing in Scotland and I told him we were flight attendants. His eyes lit up and he exclaimed, "OH FABULOUS! You're Trolly Dollies!"
Trolly Dolly? What? Is that worse than being called a stewardess? I don't quite know. I registered the shame on Grady and Rauol's faces about being called Trolly Dollies and proudly informed him that I was clearly the only Dolly in the group. The Queen replied, "I knew it. He looks more like a Rugger Bugger anyway." Uh what? Apparently a rugger bugger is a rugby player. Who'd a thunk it.
All in all, Edinburgh was a wonderful time and I will gladly go back anytime. So far, Moscow, thumbs down. Edinburgh, thumbs up. Next week is London, followed by Madrid.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.059s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 8; qc: 24; dbt: 0.024s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
That Girl Tam
non-member comment
WOW!
I'm so thrilled that you get to travel the world...I don't have the balls for it...I hate to fly. Thank you for sharing your adventures...hope you're in the states mid-August for the baby shower...and I hope you can make it to THIS one! Love ya!! Safe travels...always.